RATED 3/5 – Page 3 – Best Crime Books and More

THE BONE FIELD BY SIMON KERNICK

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Synopsis: SOME CRIMES CAN TAKE A LIFETIME TO AVENGE…

1990

A young woman goes missing while backpacking in Thailand. She is never seen again.

2016

Her bones are discovered 6000 miles away in an English field and, within hours, the boyfriend who reported her disappearance all those years ago is dead.

So begins a hunt to solve her murder that will take DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd into a dark and terrifying world of corruption and deadly secrets, where murder is commonplace, and nothing and nobody is safe…

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I have a bit of a strange feeling about Simon Kernick books, I seem to love them or just think they are pretty middle of the road. Sadly for me this book was just middle of the road and left me feeling unbothered about reading another in this series. It features both DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd (both featured in other books) and although I like Tina Boyd, I felt she took more of a backseat in this book than Ray did.

The synopsis explains the main storyline which is based around the murder of a young woman in Thailand in the 90s and the discovery of bones in England in 2016. The boyfriend of the victim who originally reported her missing then turns up dead. So it seems that Ray and Tina are the ones digging into the case.

Synopsis: felt a little forced and the writing didn’t flow as well as it does in some other books by the same author. I actually started this book once and then went back to it as I felt it was too slow. I persevered with it the second time around but in all honesty there was nothing too much that jept me hooked or interested enough to look at book 3.

DYING DAY BY STEPHEN EDGER (KATE MATTHEWS 2)

Synopsis: When the body of a young woman is found in the boot of an abandoned car near the Southampton Docks, Detective Kate Matthews is ordered to stay well away from the scene.

Exactly a year ago, Amy, a junior detective on Kate’s team, was murdered when she was sent undercover to catch a serial killer targeting young girls. Kate never forgave herself for letting the killer slip through her fingers and her team are worried this coincidence might push her over the edge.

When another girl’s body is uncovered days later with similar bruising around the neck, Kate launches an investigation of her own, determined to connect new evidence to the old to catch this monster before more innocent lives are taken…

Mysterious sympathy cards left with the families of the victims finally lead Kate to the twisted individual from her past. But if she’s found the killer, why does the body count keep rising?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I am back for book 2 in this series to see how she has fared and I must say I enjoyed this but I felt this was a predictable move in terms of storyline and I felt it was a little bit too much of an easy fix to an element of Kate’s story in book 1. Detective Kate Matthews is desperate to get involved with the case that sees a young woman murdered in a very similar fashion to one of Kates undercover officers who was killed whilst under Kate’s command. The one thing that was a huge draw for me in this book was the switch between chapters where we go from seeing Kate and her current investigation, before switching to see a chapter from Amy’s storyline from the year before.

The plot was great and it was very readable in terms of the pace and characters. However, it just would have been a great move to do something outside of the most obvious choice from book 1. Kate is certainly unpredictable and that’s always pretty enjoyable as a reader, but to be honest she also seems very edgy with a dark side and weirdly that makes me like her even more! I will certainly move on to book 3 and think that Kate has made an excellent base for this series along with her colleague Laura.

RETREAT TO THE SPANISH SUN BY JO THOMAS

Synopsis: Eliza has a full house! When her three children grew up and moved out, she downsized to a smaller property… but now they’re all back. Every room in the house is taken and Eliza finds herself sharing her bed with her eldest daughter and her daughter’s pug. Combined with the online course she’s trying to finish, plus her job to fit in, there just isn’t the peace and quiet that Eliza needs.

So when an ad pops up on her laptop saying ‘house-sitters wanted’, Eliza can’t resist the chance to escape. She ends up moving to a rural finca in southern Spain, looking after the owner’s Iberico pigs, learning about secret gastronomic societies… and finding a new zest for life and love along the way.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: Eliza is a mum with three grown up children, however Eliza has had enough and needs a break from real life. She decides on a whim to sign up to be a house-sitter and as luck would have it somebody is in need of a house-sitter for a farmhouse in Spain. Eliza packs up her things and leaves her adult children to it, determined to make the most of the few weeks of peace enabling her to finish an online course she is currently working on.

When she arrives to the house, the owner is somewhat abrupt but Eliza sees him off and is left in charge of the beautiful house and two dogs. Eliza is a nice enough character to read about, and I have certainly enjoyed all the Jo Thomas books I have read before this one. However, for some reason there was an element of disbelief to this story. Don’t get me wrong it didn’t make the book any less enjoyable it just didn’t quite live up to her other books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed.

There are a few funny moments as Eliza manages to get herself into quite a predicament whilst doing something as simple as house sitting. Stolen prized hams, ex-pat Spanish language classes and tapas bars make for some amusing scenes and likeable additional characters. This was still a reasonably enjoyable book that is perfect getaway material, maybe just not quite as enjoyable as some of her other books.

THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS BY MICHAEL ROBOTOHAM

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Synopsis: Everyone has an idea of what their perfect life is. For Agatha, it’s Meghan Shaughnessy’s.

These two women from vastly different backgrounds have one thing in common – a dangerous secret that could destroy everything they hold dear.

Both will risk everything to hide the truth, but their worlds are about to collide in a shocking act that cannot be undone.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely love the books created by Michael Robotham featuring Cyrus Haven. This book is a standalone (yet weirdly we do see Cyrus as a cameo role). Agatha and Meghan are the lead characters in this book and they are both seemingly in the same boat as expectant mothers. However their worlds couldn’t be further apart. Meghan already has two children and is a ‘Mummy’ vlogger alongside her dashing tv sports presenter husband. Agatha on the other hand is a loner who has a supermarket job and a boyfriend in the Navy.

The chapters are told from both Agatha and Meghan’s viewpoints making the story flow well and give you a real idea of each person’s story. Agatha is a strange woman and that is clear from the outset, although it also becomes just as clear before long that both women are sitting on huge secrets. The book is pretty well paced and there was certainly enough going on to keep you interested. However for me, this book just wasn’t as good as others of his I have read.

The characters although readable, just left no impression on me either way and I couldn’t care less what happened to them. It’s such a shame as this book by Robotham seems such a departure from the norm which can sometimes be exciting but for me it just didn’t leave any lasting impression. It certainly isn’t a ‘bad’ book it just wasn’t one from this author I particularly loved.

I Found You by Lisa Jewell

Synopsis: Everyone has secrets. What if you can’t remember yours?

‘How long have you been sitting out here?’

‘I got here yesterday.’

‘Where did you come from?’

‘I have no idea.’

Lily has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night, she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one.

Alice finds a man on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, no idea what he is doing there. Against her better judgement, she invites him into her home.

But who is he, and how can she trust a man who has lost his memory?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I find with Lisa Jewell books I either love them or I feel indifferent, there never seems to be an in-between…until now! Alice is our first introduction and she sees a man sitting on a beach. What starts as a mere conversation to check on his wellbeing turns into a mission to help this man who has lost his memory! I liked Alice but found the whole storyline a little incredulous and that sort of put the mockers on it for me.

Aside from not liking the idea behind the story, the writing itself and the characters I had no problem with. As time passes Alice and her new found friend ‘Frank’ start to try and uncover his past and this seems to happen in stages. In another are entirely waits Lily a newly married woman whose husband failed to come home.

Now it didn’t take a genius to figure out which element of the story fitted in where however the reasoning behind it was not something I was prepared for. I would say this book is a little out of the ordinary and certainly not a bad book, just one that I didn’t entirely gel with.

No Way Back by J B Turner (Jack McNeal 1)

Synopsis: When the people he loves most are in danger, Jack McNeal will get revenge…or die trying.

NYPD detective Jack McNeal is used to asking the tough questions. But a late-night visit from the Secret Service lands Jack on the other side of the table—as a suspect in the disappearance of his estranged wife, Caroline, a prominent reporter on the White House beat. When her body is found floating in the Potomac, Jack is overcome by disbelief and despair.

Her death seems eerily similar to the suspicious fatality of a young socialite years before. Is the similarity of the two tragic incidents simply a coincidence, or could it be a sign of a murderous orchestrated plot to protect those in the highest echelons of the American government?

To avenge Caroline’s death, Jack embarks on a journey into the darkest recesses of power. Suspects abound—from haunted Special Forces soldiers to ex-CIA to the president’s own body man. Along the way, Jack will be forced to decide: Is there a line he won’t cross to expose the killer?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I am a huge fan of this author and especially the Jon Reznick series. I was excited to see he had a new series out featuring Jack McNeal. I admit I started this book and a chapter or two in I put it down again as I just couldn’t get into it. I went back a few weeks and a few books later and thankfully that changed. I soon got into the world of Jack McNeal and was pleasantly surprised. This is certainly not as great as the Reznick series but I always find that getting into a new series sometimes takes a while to do.

The story centers around NYPD Detective Jack McNeal, and the main aim of his job is investigating corrupt and dirty cops. Late one night he gets a visit from the Secret Service who are there to ask questions about his estranged but missing wife. The story is well paced and there is certainly a lot going on. When Jack decides to investigate what has happened to his wife it soon becomes apparent that he will have to break lots of rules to get the answers he needs.

I can see why many reviewers are not that impressed as if you take the character and story at face value its been done a million times before with a straight shooting guy going off the rails. However, I think the writing is just as good as ever from this author and this makes for a great starting point for a series. No this wasn’t as good as the Reznick books but it’s definitely a well written and engaging story like all of Turners books are and I am looking forward to the next one in this series to see where he takes the character.

Something to Tell You by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis: When Frankie stumbles upon an unopened letter from her late mother, she’s delighted to have one last message from her . . . until she reads the contents and discovers the truth about her birth. Brimming with questions, she travels to York to seek further answers from the Mortimer family, but her appearance sends shockwaves through them all.

Meanwhile, Robyn Mortimer has problems of her own. Her husband has become distant, and she begins to wonder exactly what he’s keeping hidden. Dare she find out more?

As for Bunny, she fell head over heels in love when she first arrived in town, but now it seems her past is catching up with her. She can’t help wondering if her relationship will survive when everyone discovers who she really is – and what she did.

As secrets tumble out and loyalties are tested, the Mortimers have to face up to some difficult decisions. With love, betrayal and dramatic revelations in the mix, this is one summer they’ll never forget.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I would definitely say I am a fan of Lucy Diamond and as much as this book was very enjoyable and passed the time it certainly wasn’t one of my favourites from this author. We meet Frankie who has found a letter from her late mother and it’s a gift and a curse all in one. The letter explains about her father along with his name and all of this comes as such a surprise her impromptu trip ends up not going quite as she expected it to.

Frankie takes a chance and travels to York and ends up stumbling into the middle of a party to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Harry and Jeanie Mortimer. Of course this becomes an instant bombshell among the Mortimer family and as such the dominoes start to fall. I actually liked reading about the various Mortimer family members however there are a lot of threads to the story which normally doesn’t bother me too much but for some reason it seemed a little too much with this story.

It was certainly an enjoyable read and an author that I will continue to read, however this one just wasn’t one of my favourites

I’ll Never Tell by Casey Kelleher

Synopsis: When we were young, Sarah and I did a terrible thing – but it was only me who paid the price. Now, just when I thought no one from my old life would ever find me, a note is slid under my door: I haven’t forgotten. I haven’t forgiven. FOUND YOU.

My best friend Sarah and I used to spend all our time in a place we called the Doll House. It was just an old, abandoned cottage in the woods behind our house but it was heaven to us. Until one of our games went wrong. And someone ended up dead.

It was an accident, or at least Sarah told me it was. But when I tried to tell the police that I wasn’t involved, they didn’t believe me. When the Doll House Girls were splashed across the newspapers, it was my face they showed under the headlines. I’m the one who stood trial.

Now, twenty years on, I’ve made a new life with a new identity. I have a wonderful husband, Carl, and Jacob, our adorable son. Despite everything in my past, I’m happy.

Then the first note arrives. FOUND YOU. Soon other threats start coming, and the person behind them is clear they’d be willing to hurt my family – to hurt Jacob – to get to me. I know who they are. And I know what they’re capable of. The other doll… The girl who got away with murder.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I am a huge fan of Casey Kelleher books and was looking forward to the latest one however I have to be totally honest and say this wasn’t one of my favourites by this author. It is absolutely NOT a bad book it’s just a slight departure from her normal type of storyline. The story is based around Alessia who is married to Carl and has a young son Jacob. Alessia is extremely happy with her life until a brick through the window with a note saying ‘I Found You’ kicks off the start of some awful things happening. Alessia is convinced its her old school friend Sarah. It is hard to be very specific about the book without inevitable spoiling it for people so I will say little about the actual storyline. However, what I will say is that the narrative is split between now and then which although it works, just didn’t have the same flow as previous books have had. I think this book is definitely a great psychological thriller and it’s certainly well written however for me I just didn’t gel with the story or characters like I normally do with this authors books .

Left You Dead by Peter James (Roy Grace 17)

Synopsis: Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, creation of the CWA Diamond Dagger award-winning author Peter James, faces his most engrossing case yet in Left You Dead.

Niall and Eden Paternoster start their Sunday the same way they always do – with a long drive, a visit to a country house and a quick stop at the local supermarket on the way home.

But this Sunday ends differently – because while Niall waits and waits in the car park for Eden to pick up supplies, Eden never returns. She’s not waiting for him at home, and none of their family or friends have heard from her.

Gone without a trace, Niall is arrested on suspicion of her murder. When DS Roy Grace is called in to investigate, it doesn’t take long to realize that nothing in this case is quite as it seems . . .

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: Okay I am still really on the fence with these last couple of Roy Grace books. I love this series but I have to say the decisions made in this book I think were a cop out! I don’t want to use filler to pad out a review to make it seem longer, most people will read the synopsis for more details of the storyline. However, a lot of the pull of this series are the recurring characters.

The main storyline around a missing woman to me fell a little flat and it all felt a little unrealistic and forced. However, pushing that to one side you can always rely on character development and Roy Grace’s home life is always the main start of the show. I will not put too much in my review as I cannot bear spoilers. However, what I will say is that the decisions made for certain characters in this book shocked me, I had an idea they may go in a completely different direction as there was so much scope. Sadly, the authors decision in this latest instalment felt like an easy option and not one that sat well with me. I am now wondering where the series goes from here, and the way I am feeling after the last two books I am not entirely sure whether I will continue reading them.

Find Them Dead by Peter James (Roy Grace 16)

Synopsis: Detective Superintendent Roy Grace unearths a powerful criminal network in the sinister crime novel Find Them Dead, by award winning author Peter James.

Ending his secondment to London’s Met Police, Roy Grace gets a tip-off about a drugs mastermind operating out of Brighton. On his first day back in his old job, he is called to a seemingly senseless murder. Gradually, Grace’s investigation draws him into the evil sphere of an utterly ruthless drug dealer on trial. A man prepared to order the death of anyone it takes to enable him to walk free from court.

Sitting in the jury is Meg Magellan, whose daughter’s life is being threatened by a stranger who tells her that if she ever wants to see her alive again, it is very simple. At the end of the trial, all she has to do is make sure the jury says just two words . . . Not guilty.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: This book left me feeling a little bit meh, it just felt lacklustre to me. The last book in the instalment was enjoyable but it too lacked something, this book even more so. I recall a time when I first read Dead Simple and was blown away. At 16 books into a series, I can imagine it must be tough to keep things fresh but this book just left me feeling disappointed.

The storyline had potential as a juror is being threatened and blackmailed, however even this failed to capture my attention. The writing seemed very padded out and ‘fillerish’…yes I know it’s not even a real word…but you know what I mean. The characters fell flat and there were things that I never understood about certain things within the storyline (such as how were the bad guys watching Meg?). Small details like that kind of bug me and it gave me an overall sense of dissatisfaction. I really hope that Peter James ups his game with the next Roy Grace as something needs to change!